On Tuesday, June 21st, via Dirk Schenke, with who I am still in contact, I received the sad message that Dierk Scheel passed away on May 18th, 2022. Unfortunately, although I still work and live in Saxony-Anhalt, I was not able to visit the funeral anymore. From 2006 till 2008 I collaborated with his department in the group of Justin Lee. His scientific competence and kind character impressed me and still are exemplary. I also enjoyed working together with his group, in which scientific work as well as social events were kept high (s photo: christmas celebration, 2006: Dierk Scheel, Sabine Rosahl, Wolfgang Knogge). Thanks to Dierk and his department I learned al lot in the areas of plant pathology as well as positive collaboration - this combination is quite unique in the scientific community, and have continued to practice both in my present work at the Federal Environment Agency.
My sincere condolence to Dierks family,
Esther van der Zalm

We were shocked and deeply sadden to hear about the unexpected death of our colleague Dierk. Doris and I already got to know Dierk during our times at the University of Freiburg in the early 1980s, and as fortune will have it, in late 1983 he and I were both hired as research group leaders in the newly established department of Prof. Klaus Hahlbrock at the Max-Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research in Köln. There we joined the other new departmental group leaders: Erich Kombrink, Elmon Schmelzer, Wolfgang Schulz and Wolgang Knogge. This was an extremely exciting period in molecular plant biology and already from the start the environment within the department was extremely stimulating scientifically. It was also very collegial and resulted in long lasting friendship between all of us, including our families. Dierk played an important role in this respect because, although he made clear from the start that his future plans were to become a head of his own department as soon as possible, he never tried to take advantage of something at the cost of the other members. Discussion with him were always highly interesting and very fruitful and he constantly searched for ways for us to scientifically interact. He could also enjoy dancing and partying, and we enjoyed having a few nice drinks with him and Marita on several occasions. Dierk made several important contributions to the plant science field but it is on the personal level that we will miss him the most. Our deepest sympathy goes to his entire family.

I was the first Mexican to be in Dierk's group at the Max Planck für Züchtungsforschung and for me, Dierk was always a wonderful person, a good friend, a teacher, a counselor, an excellent scientist, and an enthusiastic collaborator. We will miss him deeply. Without his sure support, many of us who had the good fortune and honor of knowing him and living with him, would not have the current academic situation or the personal progress that we currently have. We owe him our present and our future. He supported those of us who were looking for the great adventure of doing science in a new country and made us feel at home. I am grateful for the opportunity to have toasted with tequila with Dierk and to have found a way to understand nature a little. Rest in peace Dierk, dear friend, and teacher.